Cold snap coming to Western Washington

EVERETT — The rest of the week could get mighty nippy in Snohomish County, courtesy of a Yukon air mass barrelling down on Western Washington.

On the plus side, it should bring clear skies and panoramic views of the region’s snow-capped mountains.

The National Weather Service in Seattle issued a special weather statement to warn people of the cold ahead. Forecasters are predicting the chilliest conditions Wednesday through Friday.

Temperatures are expected to dip into the teens in some parts of Snohomish County by Tuesday evening with daytime highs in the low to mid 30s. The low in Darrington could sink to 6 degrees Wednesday night.

“It’ll be cold by local standards, but considerably warmer than its origins in the Yukon,” weather service meteorologist Andy Haner said Monday.

The temperature in Whitehorse, the provincial capital of Yukon, was 3 degrees Monday. The low at a temperature reporting site farther north was 27 below zero.

There’s a good chance some areas in the county won’t get above freezing temperatures on Thursday. Haner said it could feel similar to a cold snap that hit Western Washington in December.

By Saturday, a Pacific weather system is expected to arrive. A possibility of snow, sleet or freezing rain exists Saturday.

“This far out there is uncertainty about when it could occur,” Haner said.

Rain is expected to melt any snow by Sunday.

The South Snohomish County Emergency Shelter Network on Sunday began providing overnight accommodations for people vulnerable to freezing weather.

The shelter network is open to families, women and men. Evening and morning meals are provided.

Those in need of shelter should meet outside of the Lynnwood City Hall, 19100 44th Ave. W., no later than 7 p.m.